These words have probably inspired gardeners over generations to start making a garden of their own.
There is one word that describes gardeners – dedication. It is an important distinction, as it is an occupation that cannot be half-hearted.
The outcome depends on time commitment, continuity, the means, and the land. Perhaps, what is not considered, but needs to be, is that the garden itself, also has a life.
It is not just that space outside the home. It is what surrounds the home. It is, in fact, another room. And if tendered well, a garden will outlive the it’s creator.
The first consideration is to decide how you want to work the land – a flower paradise, a park-like space with trees with underplanting , a play area for children, a wildlife sanctuary.
This will lead you to decide the garden function and importantly – the style. Once these decisions are made, and the design is in preparation, you will ultimately be able to consider what plants are needed to realise your design.
Before you decide this, you must consider our new reality – climate change, limited water resources, and naturally the expense of plants. The basic garden practices that have been used historically must now be re-invented to suit our reality.
In the past choices were made due to the fact that the plants were popular, or trending and were readily available – their foliage, colour, fragrance and flowers were desirable.
However, now more important factors need to be considered first, before making your selection. To ensure suitability, try to use plants that are suited to our climate zone.
We are classified a Mediterranean climate – winter rain, summer drought. Select plants that are
indigenous or endemic to the area. We have so many wonderful
indigenous and fynbos plants to use – for example choose
Osteospermum instead of Petunia for summer colour. Ensure that
your choice is sustainable for the amount of water available.
Select plants that are attractive to bees and insects. Be mindful
how your selections work together in terms of scale, growth
habit, colour and form; and, will they be complementary to the
existing indigenous plants in the surrounding environment in
which they are being placed? It is not difficult to select plants, but
you always need to bear in mind the climate and micro climate in
your garden. There are plants that have uncontrolled or vigorous
re-seeding, do you want this? Plan to purchase over the year so
that there will always be something flowering or showing over
the seasons.
Many people think that once the garden has been planted it is
completed, and all that is needed is some pruning and feeding
over the year. Your garden will only begin once you start caring
for it. A schedule of management of your design, and basic
maintenance must be on a committed and consistent level. If the
garden is untouched for a few weeks, it will take much longer to
clean and clean. Mediterranean plants do not need heavy
watering. Once the plants are established, a moderate amount is
sufficient. Often people are deceived into thinking after rain, you
don’t need to water; if it was torrential, obviously not necessary.
It is better to check after rain to ensure whether watering is
required. It is a good practice to mulch plants so that the soil
around them does not dry out. The planting of ground covers
around the plants, creates a type of mulch- one that grows and
extends cover as it matures. Mulch also aids in keeping weeds at
a minimum.
No matter what size, your garden has a life of its own and will
always be a sanctuary for those who tend it. It will teach you the
benefit of care and consistency. It will reward you with its beauty,
and bird song. With this the realization that if there were more
gardeners then the land would be in safer hands and the Earth
will begin to recover.
